Submit a Critic Score

Winemaker's Notes:

Dark cherry and blackberry. Hints of sweet vanilla with enticing mocha and tobacco notes add complexity to the dark, dense layers of fruit. Concentrated and well-built, the mouthfeel is substantial with generous body. Flavors of currants, cherry, cocoa, a

Dark red-more-than-purple in the glass. Oaky and smokey nose. Very pleasant on the tip of the tongue. Slight fruty sweetness--plums. As the wine travels through the palate tannis pop up along with some tartness. Very nice lingering finish. I would suggest is that this is not a wine for long aging, although it is an emminantly drinkable wine right now. US$18.99 at Costco.

Nose of ripe cassis withhints of candied cherry and currant. Some very slight eucalyptus and sweet oak vanilla. On the palate, it's rich and dry. Ripe cassis, currant, black plum and black cherry with some light cocoa and oak spice. Good acid balance to this so it should age and progress nicely with a few more years' aging. I think Franciscan always delivers a solid moderately priced, good value Napa cab.
86 pts.

The most powerful, finest overall wine made at this estate since their 1982, the muscular 2009 reveals a dense ruby/purple color in addition to meaty, smoky notes of black cherries, iron, truffles, loamy soil, and spice. Dense, full-bodied, and viril... Robert Parker's Wine Advocate. A Bordeaux Blend wine from Bordeaux in France. 2009 Certan de May 750ml

Purple-ruby. Opulent, sexy aromas of plum and black cherry explode from the glass, with complicating spicy/herbal nuances of bay leaf, marjoram, cinnamon and aromatic pepper. Very fresh on entry, with a sweet, supple texture and flavors similar to th... Stephen Tanzers IWC. A Bordeaux Blend wine from Bordeaux in France. 2009 Certan de May 750ml

65% grenache, 15% mourvedre, 15% syrah and 5% other varietals. Clear and bright garnet colors are vibrant and translucent at the core. This bouquet may not be overt and open as many other 2009s but still retains its concentrated nature. The palate, h... Chuck Hayward. A Proprietary Blend wine from Rhone in France. 2009 Domaine du Vieux Telegraphe Chateauneuf du Pape 750ml

A bruising, black/purple-hued, full-bodied wine, the 2009 Certan de May displays notes of charcuterie, smoked game, herbs, black truffles, roasted meats, cassis and black cherries. This backward, robustly-styled Pomerol is loaded with tannin as well ... Robert Parkers Wine Advocate. A Bordeaux Blend wine from Bordeaux in France. 2009 Certan de May 750ml

This is crammed with fruit, spice and structure, as braised fig, plum skin, cassis and anise notes wrestle with roasted apple wood, melted red licorice and tar for now. The embedded grip should carry the finish until this assimilates fully. Best from 2014 through 2024. 5,000 cases imported. JM - Wine Spectator Magazine 94 Points(65% grenache, 15% each of mourvedre and syrah, and the rest all the other varieties; aged in a combination of foudres and concrete): Bright ruby. Intense red fruit and potpourri aromas show excellent precision and a suave, spicy character. Licorice and lavender nuances add complexity to juicy raspberry and bitter cherry flavors, with the wine putting on weight in the glass. Finishes taut and youthfully tangy, with echoing licorice and spice notes. - Stephen Tanzer 93 Points** Only 9 in Stock **

This is crammed with fruit, spice and structure, as braised fig, plum skin, cassis and anise notes wrestle with roasted apple wood, melted red licorice and tar for now. The embedded grip should carry the finish until this assimilates fully. Best from 2014 through 2024. 5,000 cases imported. –JM - Wine Spectator Magazine 94 Points (65% grenache, 15% each of mourvedre and syrah, and the rest all the other varieties; aged in a combination of foudres and concrete): Bright ruby. Intense red fruit and potpourri aromas show excellent precision and a suave, spicy character. Licorice and lavender nuances add complexity to juicy raspberry and bitter cherry flavors, with the wine putting on weight in the glass. Finishes taut and youthfully tangy, with echoing licorice and spice notes. - Stephen Tanzer 93 Points ** Only 7 in Stock **

Dark cherry and blackberry. Hints of sweet vanilla with enticing mocha and tobacco notes add complexity to the dark, dense layers of fruit. Concentrated and well-built, the mouthfeel is substantial with generous body. Flavors of currants, cherry, cocoa, a